I require conveyancing for an apartment in a relatively new development (6 years built) in Chelsfield. Almost all the appartments are already sold. Is it strictly necessary to order neighbourhood searches for my conveyancing in Chelsfield?
You would be opening yourself up to an unnecessary risk in not carrying out Chelsfield conveyancing searches. Without searches you have no clarity over flooding, environmental etc which may mean you walk away due to potential problems down the line. If you are buying without a mortgage there is no legal necessity to have them, but we would strongly advise in the strongest possible terms that your solicitor conducts them. Where accelerating the process and cost are primary concerns you should discuss with your solicitor about the options such as indemnity insurance available to you
Various web forums that I have visited warn that are a common cause of stalling in Chelsfield house deals. Is there any truth in this?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published findings of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure within the most frequent causes of delays in the conveyancing process. Searches are unlikely to feature in any holding up conveyancing in Chelsfield.
I used Wolstenholmes several years ago for my conveyancing in Chelsfield. I now require my file however cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?
You should contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Chelsfield of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
How does conveyancing in Chelsfield differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Chelsfield contact us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is constructed. This is because developers in Chelsfield typically acquire the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Chelsfield or who has acted in the same development.
Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Chelsfield prior to appointing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor advised that some lenders will not give a loan on a flying freehold property.
It depends who your proposed lender is. HSBC has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can check via the appropriate bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Chelsfield. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Chelsfield to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.
I pay a service charge for my appartment in Chelsfield. As a result of poor financial planning I slipped behind with remittance. I negotiated a settlement plan but there is still three thousand pounds due in arrears.
I want to sell and I am concerned this could hold me back if I have to settle the amount due in advance. Do I have to settle before - is this practicable?
Your property lawyer should be in a position to negotiate with the appropriate parties, and agree with them whether or not they would accept settlement out of the completion monies. Here is indicative of why it might be good to instruct a solicitor in Chelsfield as they are likely to enjoy an established relationship with the management company.